The Chicago High School for the Arts American Literature II Credit Recovery– Context and Themes Course Syllabus Instructor: D. Miller Phone: 773-534-9710 Email: dmiller@chiarts.org Availability: I will have online office hours 12:00-2:00 on Wednesday and Friday afternoons; at this time, I will be available to answer any questions via email. Students may email at any time, but these are guaranteed hours when I will be available to respond. Study sessions at ChiArts will be held on July 16, July 30, August 6, and August 13 from 9:00-12:00.
Course Description:
This course is an abbreviated version of the American Literature course you have taken at ChiArts. American Literature II combines an in-depth study of themes that have shaped the American discourse with critical reading of American literature and primary source documents. Rigorous Socratic discussion, collaborative learning, and independent study provide opportunities for investigating and analyzing the tensions and friction among different perspectives and interpretations of the American experience. Students write to develop and expand their own ideas, to examine the work and ideas of published authors and artists, and to craft well grounded arguments based on research. Students will utilize foundational skills developed in previous English classes to engage in increasingly complex reading and writing tasks. The summer course will emphasize digital learning skills and will incorporate use of visual and video media, discussion boards, and online writing collaboration through TurnItIn.
Course Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
-Synthesize information from a variety of sources to make clear arguments verbally and in writing -Read and interpret complex literature and primary documents -Revise and edit written work for clarity, logic, and effect -Examine American literature in the context of the larger themes of the American experience and literary traditions
Instructional Materials: Our textbook will be American Literature from McDougal Littell. Students will have access to the textbook and other McDougal Littell resources on classzone.com.We will read two longer plays: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and Biloxi Blues by Neil Simon. We will also use a variety of supplemental reading materials including articles, handouts, and excerpts from other books. Students will receive supplemental materials on a regular basis and are responsible for reading and completing coursework based on these materials.
Grading: The following is a breakdown of school wide grading categories and weighting:
Class activities/Homework
15%
GRASPS
40%
Quizzes and Critical Reading Journal Responses
30%
Summer Final Exam
15%
Students are expected submit assignments on a regular basis and adhere to deadlines. Since this is an online course, much of the work can be completed at your own pace; however, you are provided with deadlines to ensure that you complete the work in a timely manner. Students enrolled in this course are expected to have consistent internet access and be proficient in internet technology. It is your responsibility to check that all work has been properly submitted and to contact your teacher if you experience difficulties with technology. Homework can only be submitted for full credit on the original due date. Late homework will be accepted for one week at 50% credit. Major projects and essays will be accepted for two days after the due date with a letter grade deducted each day. Any major projects submitted after that point that meet the project requirements will receive 50% credit. Students may revise major projects and essays within two weeks of the original due date only if the student submitted the essay or project on time. Students who earn a D or F on a unit test may retake the test within two weeks of the original date only if the student has completed ALL of the work leading up to the exam.
School wide grading scale: A+ 100-98 A 97-95 A- 94-92 B+ 91-89 B 88-86 B- 85-83 C+ 82-80 C 79-77 C- 76 - 74 D+ 73 - 71 D 70 - 68 D- 67 - 65 F 64 and below
Materials and Supplies: The following materials and supplies will be needed daily:
Computer with internet access
Flash drive to save your work
Textbook
School wide Expectations and Standards:
Places—Be on time to school and to class; come prepared with all materials, supplies, appropriate dress and attitude.
Harmony—Respect each other and work together.
Collage—Seek and receive wisdom; all voices complete the picture.
Direction—Be willing to lead and follow.
Arrangement—Consider the shared space. Leave things better than you found them.
Please see 2011-12 Parent-Student Handbook for other school policies and more information.
Scope and Sequence: The year will be divided into two units. The themes are as follows:
Unit Theme(s)
Essential Questions
Literature Focus
Major Assessments
America the Free: Equity in our Past and Present
How does where I’m from shape who I am?
Can America ever achieve “liberty and justice” for all?
A Raisin in the Sun
Primary documents from the Civil Rights Movement
Current Event Articles
Supplemental non-fiction
Research Paper
Critical Reading Journals
Quizzes
America: Shaping the Individual and the World
Are we responsible for the whole world?
How does the American relationship with the international community shape us as individuals?
Biloxi Blues
Short fiction and poetry by Kurt Vonnegaut, Tim O’Brien, and Ranell Jarrell
Non-fiction by John Steinbeck, Primo Levi, and other authors
Current Events Articles
College Essay
Critical reading journals
Quizzes
FINAL EXAM
School wide Plagiarism Policy:
Rationale The faculty at ChiArts is committed to teaching students to become ethical users of information and ideas. It is our responsibility not only to educate students in the research process of writing and proper documenting, but also to hold students accountable for submitting original work. Whether as assignment is in a visual, written, or spoken format, students are expected to accurately reference all sources of information consulted for the project. Plagiarism is regarded as a serious offense and will not be tolerated by ChiArts or by any institution of higher learning. All departments must enforce and students must adhere to this policy.
Definition of Plagiarism Plagiarism is defined as:
Copying of another person’s ideas and/or works, whether intentional or not, in whole or in part, from a print or non-print source and using those ideas or works as one’s own.
Deliberate and/or inconsistent lack of proper documentation and citation in the project or paper.
In-text documentation that is not reflected in the Works Cited page.
Student Responsibilities
Submit authentic work
Follow the MLA style or APA style guide
Cite in-text or paraphrased sources correctly and accurately
Format Works Cited pages correctly and accurately
Consequences of Plagiarism Whenever a teacher reasonably believes, based upon significant evidence, that a student has plagiarized part or all of an assignment or infringed upon copyright protection, or whenever a teacher reasonably believes, based upon significant evidence, that a student has knowingly assisted another student to plagiarize part or all of an assignment, the teacher shall evaluate the nature and extent of the assistance lent to the student who plagiarized, remind the student of the existence of this rule, and warn the student that he/she is, or may be, subject to the following penalties.
Conference between the teacher and the student about honest authorship
Conference between the teacher and parent/guardian regarding the offense
Reduced credit for the assignment
Refusal to give the student any credit for the assignment
Require the student to rework the assignment entirely using his/her own ideas and style
Refer the student to the proper school authority for any additional counseling or discipline consistent
with any other policy of ChiArts
Failure of the entire semester that the plagiarism occurred in
Removal from the school for repeated offenses in spite of intervention
E. Kavanagh, High School Plagiarism Policy, September 2009
American Literature II Credit Recovery– Context and Themes
Course Syllabus
Instructor: D. Miller
Phone: 773-534-9710
Email: dmiller@chiarts.org
Availability: I will have online office hours 12:00-2:00 on Wednesday and Friday afternoons; at this time, I will be available to answer any questions via email. Students may email at any time, but these are guaranteed hours when I will be available to respond. Study sessions at ChiArts will be held on July 16, July 30, August 6, and August 13 from 9:00-12:00.
Course Description:
This course is an abbreviated version of the American Literature course you have taken at ChiArts. American Literature II combines an in-depth study of themes that have shaped the American discourse with critical reading of American literature and primary source documents. Rigorous Socratic discussion, collaborative learning, and independent study provide opportunities for investigating and analyzing the tensions and friction among different perspectives and interpretations of the American experience. Students write to develop and expand their own ideas, to examine the work and ideas of published authors and artists, and to craft well grounded arguments based on research. Students will utilize foundational skills developed in previous English classes to engage in increasingly complex reading and writing tasks. The summer course will emphasize digital learning skills and will incorporate use of visual and video media, discussion boards, and online writing collaboration through TurnItIn.
Course Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
-Synthesize information from a variety of sources to make clear arguments verbally and in writing
-Read and interpret complex literature and primary documents
-Revise and edit written work for clarity, logic, and effect
-Examine American literature in the context of the larger themes of the American experience and literary traditions
Instructional Materials:
Our textbook will be American Literature from McDougal Littell. Students will have access to the textbook and other McDougal Littell resources on classzone.com.We will read two longer plays: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and Biloxi Blues by Neil Simon. We will also use a variety of supplemental reading materials including articles, handouts, and excerpts from other books. Students will receive supplemental materials on a regular basis and are responsible for reading and completing coursework based on these materials.
Grading:
The following is a breakdown of school wide grading categories and weighting:
Students are expected submit assignments on a regular basis and adhere to deadlines. Since this is an online course, much of the work can be completed at your own pace; however, you are provided with deadlines to ensure that you complete the work in a timely manner. Students enrolled in this course are expected to have consistent internet access and be proficient in internet technology. It is your responsibility to check that all work has been properly submitted and to contact your teacher if you experience difficulties with technology.
Homework can only be submitted for full credit on the original due date. Late homework will be accepted for one week at 50% credit. Major projects and essays will be accepted for two days after the due date with a letter grade deducted each day. Any major projects submitted after that point that meet the project requirements will receive 50% credit. Students may revise major projects and essays within two weeks of the original due date only if the student submitted the essay or project on time. Students who earn a D or F on a unit test may retake the test within two weeks of the original date only if the student has completed ALL of the work leading up to the exam.
School wide grading scale:
A+ 100-98
A 97-95
A- 94-92
B+ 91-89
B 88-86
B- 85-83
C+ 82-80
C 79-77
C- 76 - 74
D+ 73 - 71
D 70 - 68
D- 67 - 65
F 64 and below
Materials and Supplies:
The following materials and supplies will be needed daily:
School wide Expectations and Standards:
Places—Be on time to school and to class; come prepared with all materials, supplies, appropriate dress and attitude.
Harmony—Respect each other and work together.
Collage—Seek and receive wisdom; all voices complete the picture.
Direction—Be willing to lead and follow.
Arrangement—Consider the shared space. Leave things better than you found them.
Please see 2011-12 Parent-Student Handbook for other school policies and more information.
Scope and Sequence:
The year will be divided into two units. The themes are as follows:
Can America ever achieve “liberty and justice” for all?
Primary documents from the Civil Rights Movement
Current Event Articles
Supplemental non-fiction
Critical Reading Journals
Quizzes
How does the American relationship with the international community shape us as individuals?
Short fiction and poetry by Kurt Vonnegaut, Tim O’Brien, and Ranell Jarrell
Non-fiction by John Steinbeck, Primo Levi, and other authors
Current Events Articles
Critical reading journals
Quizzes
Rationale
The faculty at ChiArts is committed to teaching students to become ethical users of information and ideas. It is our responsibility not only to educate students in the research process of writing and proper documenting, but also to hold students accountable for submitting original work. Whether as assignment is in a visual, written, or spoken format, students are expected to accurately reference all sources of information consulted for the project. Plagiarism is regarded as a serious offense and will not be tolerated by ChiArts or by any institution of higher learning. All departments must enforce and students must adhere to this policy.
Definition of Plagiarism
Plagiarism is defined as:
- Copying of another person’s ideas and/or works, whether intentional or not, in whole or in part, from a print or non-print source and using those ideas or works as one’s own.
- Deliberate and/or inconsistent lack of proper documentation and citation in the project or paper.
- In-text documentation that is not reflected in the Works Cited page.
Student ResponsibilitiesConsequences of Plagiarism
Whenever a teacher reasonably believes, based upon significant evidence, that a student has plagiarized part or all of an assignment or infringed upon copyright protection, or whenever a teacher reasonably believes, based upon significant evidence, that a student has knowingly assisted another student to plagiarize part or all of an assignment, the teacher shall evaluate the nature and extent of the assistance lent to the student who plagiarized, remind the student of the existence of this rule, and warn the student that he/she is, or may be, subject to the following penalties.
- Conference between the teacher and the student about honest authorship
- Conference between the teacher and parent/guardian regarding the offense
- Reduced credit for the assignment
- Refusal to give the student any credit for the assignment
- Require the student to rework the assignment entirely using his/her own ideas and style
- Refer the student to the proper school authority for any additional counseling or discipline consistent
with any other policy of ChiArts- Failure of the entire semester that the plagiarism occurred in
- Removal from the school for repeated offenses in spite of intervention
E. Kavanagh, High School Plagiarism Policy, September 2009